When Anti-Bersih Groups Beat Each Other Up In Red 'Keamanan' Shirts
Hitting one another with wooden sticks is apparently a self-defence method according to an Anti-Bersih group.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 26 Aug 2015, 06:34 PM — Updated over 9 years ago
Anti-Bersih "Red Shirts" will not be attending Bersih rally after all
Hours after insisting of going ahead with a counter rally against Bersih 4 gathering, the coalition of non-governmental organisations, dubbed "Anti-Bersih", has decided to call off their march.
This comes after police recorded a statement from its leader, Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, at the Dang Wangi police headquarters this afternoon.
Just hours earlier, Jamal, who is also an Umno Sungai Besar division chief, told reporters the group insisted that their planned march would proceed despite warning from authorities.
"After having our statements taken and hearing KL police chief Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa and Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainol Samah's explanation on the preparations for the rally, we agree the call it off and give our full trust to the police," he said.
themalaysianinsider.com
However, Jamal said that the 'red shirts' will be organising their own rally "to voice its dissatisfaction over Bersih 4 in one or two weeks' time"
"We will follow the law and have our rally at a suitable venue."
"We may hold the rally at a stadium," he said, although the group had earlier made logistic arrangements for the event on Aug 29, including renting buses to ferry participants.
Jamal also defended the group's 'performance' in front of Sogo Shopping Mall, and said that their remarks about training with parang was misunderstood
"Just now, I was questioned about that and an investigation paper was opened because of it."
"If they (the police) say I am wrong, then I will not run away from it... but what I told them is that I did not mean it that way."
"It has been misinterpreted. What was being displayed was just a regular exercise in self-defence training.”
themalaysianinsider.com
27 AUG, 2.30pm: Parang and swords training is just a misunderstanding, Anti-Bersih leader says
"It just for regular practice, not that we want to face the Bersih protesters with parang," Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos said.
"What we demonstrated in front of Sogo is just a regular exercise in learning silat."
"Sticks and stones. People expect that from silat. Normally when you practise self-defence, you also practise with parang and swords," Jamal said.
Despite insisting that the parang training is just a practice, Jamal said he and his group would still face off with Bersih protesters this weekend if they don't abide by the law.
malaysiakini.com
27 AUG, 12.00pm: IGP: Whether you are Bersih or 'red shirts', you will be dealt with if violent
Action will be taken against any party which incites or promotes violence, including the so-called "red shirts", says Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
"We will take action against anyone who provokes other parties and this includes the red shirts," said the Inspector-General of Police.
Khalid said any party, be it Bersih or the red shirts would be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law if they were involved in acts of violence.
"We will carry out our duties without fear or favour," he said.
Responding to news reports that the Anti-Bersih group would be training with machetes and swords as preparation to counter the overnight Bersih rally, Khalid warns them against criminal intimidation
Khalid said such acts could be construed as criminal intimidation, and the police would not hesitate to take action against those who gather on the streets with weapons.
"Why train with swords if you do not intend to bring them on that day? If that is the case, then the police would arrest those found to be in possession of weapons."
"We would not tolerate any group that threatens security and public order," he cautioned.
Khalid also reiterated the police's warning for the public to steer clear of the Bersih rally and the gathering planned by the other group.
malaysiakini.com
Police also revealed that the group will be investigated for their bold demonstration later today (27 August)
According to a Dang Wangi district police headquarters spokesperson, the group will be investigated under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act on their gathering at Sogo on Tuesday.
"At 3pm police will call the organiser and participants to record their statements at Dang Wangi," the spokesperson told the media over WhatsApp.
malaysiakini.com
26 AUG: A large number of Anti-Bersih supporters gathered yesterday for a raucous demonstration in front of the crowded Sogo shopping mall
The aggressive demonstration was organised by the coalition of Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs), led by its president Datuk Jamal Md Yunos and according to the group it was merely a preparation for the Bersih 4.0 rally to be held this weekend.
The demonstration saw approximately 160 people, clad in red t-shirts with the phrase ‘Bersih 4.0 Keamanan (peace)’ printed on it gathered around a group of men being hit with longish wooden sticks and smashing roof tiles.
Jamal said that their unruly demonstration was held just in case trouble comes up between the ‘red’ and 'yellow’, referring to the Bersih supporters. He added that a staggering number of 30,000 Anti- Bersih supporters will be marching from Low Yat in Bukit Bintang to Dataran Merdeka at 10am on Saturday, as reported by The Rakyat Post yesterday.
“We won’t initiate any violence, but if the yellow team does, then our people dressed in red will be able to defend ourselves,” said Jamal.
therakyatpost.com
A video detailing the summary of the gathering was also posted by The Rakyat Post
In the recording, a motley of red activists are seen crowding around a line up of men waiting to be hit by longish wooden sticks.
The clip entails roaring and grunting demonstrators with hints of Silat themed music heard in the background.
What followed in the video is apparently how people defend themselves, according to the Anti-Bersih group, should there be any fights or arguments during the rally
And the final installment of the 'performance' which involves smashing limestone bricks on their heads and knees...
Datuk Jamal also stated that his activists are equipped with accident insurance and meals during the gathering this weekend, adding that the group was ‘not afraid of anything that might come their way during the rally’, as reported by Free Malaysia Today
“All of our participants have been informed of the possibility of assaults and they volunteered to participate because we just want peace in our country.”
“We won’t initiate any violence, but if the yellow team does, then our people dressed in red will be able to defend ourselves,” said Jamal.
therakyatpost.com
In response to the gathering held yesterday, Jamal today said that the performance was just a 'silat demonstration'
"If we want to hold a rally, we might as well be prepared. Yesterday was a demonstration to show that we are ready for any possibilities.
"The Malays have silat and we are aware that whoever learns it, know that it is meant for self-defence and not for attacking," he said.
After smashing tiles and beating each other up with wooden sticks, the anti-Bersih group will be taking a shot at training with parang (machetes) and swords tonight in their self- defence preparation for the rally
"There will be a closed door training for our members tonight and they will use parang and swords for self-defence," he told The Star Online.
"We will call off our gathering, if they call off theirs," he said.
malaysiakini.com
Jamal, who is also the Sungai Besar UMNO division chief said that Bersih should hold its rallies in indoor stadiums as per the police orders.
"They can do it at the stadiums, like the Shah Alam Stadium or Stadium Titiwangsa. No one will make an issue out of that," he was quoted as saying.
malaysiakini.com
Meanwhile, Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong raised his concerns on whether the police will end up arresting more people during the Bersih 4.0 gathering this weekend
“I hope the authorities will be fair and detain those who have violated the laws from both sides.
“The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, provides every citizen the right to assemble, whether or not notice was given to the police. I hope the police force’s intention in criminalizing the right to assemble is in accordance with the law,” he reminded.
malaysiakini.com
Yong also said that the police should only enforce the Act if they receive proper complaints on growing violence at the rally, as reported by Malaysiakini.